What is it like to drive the Zojila Pass?
The pass, also known as Zojila or Zoji La, sits on the way from Baltal and Matayen. The winding road is 25.8 km long. It’s so narrow that a car can fit through and heavy vehicles find difficult to manoeuvre due to incline and narrow road width. The drive is a bit nerve wrecking.
What is The Zozila pass?
The Zozila (also know as Zojila or Zoji La) is one of the important mountain passes in India. At an elevation of 3.528m (11,575ft) above the sea level, the pass links Amid Leh in the Western Himalayan Mountain Ranges and Srinagar.
How long does it take to cross Zoji La?
It overlooks snow-covered summits and dense strip of jungles. In 2018, the Government of India approved the Zoji La tunnel project. It’s a 14.2 km long road tunnel which will further reduce the time to cross the pass from more than 3 hours to just 15 minutes.
What is the height of Zoji La pass?
Please try again later. Zoji La pass is at a staggering height of 3,528 metres (11,575 ft) is situated around 15 Kms from beautiful hill station of Sonmarg. It is part of 425 Kms long Srinagar-Leh Highway (National Highway 1) separating breathtaking Kashmir valley from cold desert of Ladakh.
How long does it take to cross Zojila Pass?
The new tunnel will ensure all-weather 365-days connectivity between Kashmir valley and Ladakh. The tunnel will reduce time taken to cross a stretch from more than 3 hours to about 15 minutes.
How long is Zojila tunnel?
The project aims at construction of a 14.2 km-long two-lane bi-directional single tube tunnel with a parallel 14.2 km-long egress tunnel. The western portal is at Baltal at about 3,000 m elevation (about 400 m lower than the elevation of the existing highway there), about 15 km east of Sonmarg.
Is Zojila one way pass?
Update: 3 May 2022 As of this date, the road from Srinagar to Leh is open for tourists. Traffic is allowed one way only on Zojila Pass where odd dates of the month allow movement of traffic from Srinagar to Leh while even dates the traffic is allowed from Kargil / Leh to Srinagar.
When was Zojila Pass built?
The project was approved by the Government of India in January 2018 and the commencement of its construction was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in May 2018.
Which is the longest tunnel in Asia?
It is India's longest road tunnel with a length of 9.028 km (5.6 mi), and the country's first tunnel with a fully integrated tunnel control system. It reduces the distance between Jammu and Srinagar by 30 km and travel time by two hours....Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee Tunnel.OverviewHighest elevation1,200 m (3,937 ft)Width13 m (43 ft)19 more rows
Which is India's longest road tunnel?
Presently, the Syama Prasad Mookerjee Tunnel is the longest in India at 9.20 km and connects Kashmir to the rest of the country. A plan to dig a longer tunnel in Mumbai never saw the light of the day.
Is Zojila Pass worth visiting?
Zojila pass is an out of the world experience in terms of the views it offers all the way. The roads are a bit dangerous, but need not worry too much as the local drivers are very much experienced on this route and they can take you safely.
Which route is better from Delhi to Leh?
Route 2: Delhi – Srinagar – Leh June to October is the best time to take a trip to Leh via this route.
Why is Zojila Pass called zero point?
Zero Point: Carnival of life There is no natural habitation at Zero Point, a reference to a central point of the mountain pass. The freezing weather makes it almost impossible for any form of life to survive. However, man's struggle to and thrive has given birth to a different sort of carnival of life at Zojila.
What is special about Zojila Pass?
The pass links Leh and Srinagar and provides an important link between Union Territories of Ladakh and Kashmir. Zoji la is known as the “Mountain Pass of Blizzards”. Zojila pass remains closed during winters due to heavy snowfall, cutting off Ladakh region from Kashmir. In 2018, the Zojila tunnel project was launched.
Which is the highest pass in India?
The Umlingla Top Pass Situated near the border of India and china in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, this pass is the highest motorable pass in the world.
Who is building Zojila tunnel?
major Megha Engineering & Infrastructures LimitedInfrastructure major Megha Engineering & Infrastructures Limited (MEIL) on Sunday said it has completed 5-km-long tunnelling work as part of the 18-km-long all-weather Zojila Tunnel in a record time of 14 months.
Which is longest railway tunnel in India?
Pir Panjal Railway Tunnel, the 11.2 km long railway tunnel, passes through the Pir Panjal Range of middle Himalayas in Jammu and Kashmir. It is a part of its Udhampur – Srinagar – Baramulla rail link project, India's longest railway tunnel and reduced the distance between Quazigund and Banihal.
Which is the longest tunnel in the world?
Description. The Gotthard Base Tunnel, with a length of 57.09 km (35.5 mi) and a total of 151.84 km (94.3 mi) of tunnels, shafts and passages, is the longest railway tunnel in the world, with a geodetic distance of 55.782 km (34.7 mi) between the two portals.
Which is the longest road tunnel in the world?
the Lærdal tunnelAt 24.5 kilometres, the Lærdal tunnel is the world's longest road tunnel. The road links Aurland and Lærdal, in the heart of Sogn, and provides a ferry-free connection between Oslo and Bergen.
Who is building Zojila tunnel?
major Megha Engineering & Infrastructures LimitedInfrastructure major Megha Engineering & Infrastructures Limited (MEIL) on Sunday said it has completed 5-km-long tunnelling work as part of the 18-km-long all-weather Zojila Tunnel in a record time of 14 months.
What is the Zojila pass?
ZojiLa pass is a very important pass connecting Srinagar Valley with the Suru and Drass Valley as well as the Indus Region. This notorious dirt trail offers a spectacular view of the valley and gives a daunting trail to ride on with hairpin bends making it even more daunting. Once you reach ZojiLa, you are going to savor an amazing view of the mighty Himalayan mountains, which makes the ride worth it. ZojiLa pass remains disconnected from the rest of the world for almost six months in a year. This 434 km long highway stretch is the lifeline of Ladakh. After the Kargil war in 1999, the government paced up the construction of the road due to its strategic importance.
When is Zojila Pass opened and closed?
ZojiLa pass mostly remains closed during the winter due to heavy snowfall. But the Border Roads Organization (BRO) works day and night for smooth flow traffic throughout the year. The Beacon Force is that unit of the BRO, which takes care of clearing and maintaining the road during the winter season.
What is the name of the pass between Ladakh and Kashmir?
And those who know about the roads of Ladakh think about the ZojiLa pass. Around 3528 m (11, 649 ft) above sea level, the pass separates the Kashmir Valley from Drass Valley. It lies 9 km away from Sonamarg and is an important link between Ladakh and Kashmir. Nestled on National Highway 1 between Srinagar and Leh, this pass is considered to be the second-highest pass after Fotu La on the Srinagar-Leh National Highway.
When is the best time to visit Zojila Pass?
The best time to visit Zojila Pass is between June and early October. From mid-October till April, this route remains closed due to heavy snowfall. Also, if you plan on visiting here in August, keep in mind that you might have to wait for long hours due to the landslide problems.
When was the Zoji Pass captured?
Later on 1st November, the Zoji pass was captured by Indian forces under Operation Bison.
Do you need a permit to visit Zojila Pass?
You don’t have to worry about this because to visit Zojila Pass, you need no permit. In fact, recently Leh-Ladakh tourism has lifted the need for permits even in the restricted/protected areas of Leh-Ladakh.
How long is the Zoji La tunnel?
The 14 km long tunnel will reduce the time to cross the Zoji La from more than 3 hours to just 15 minutes.
When did the Zojila battle happen?
Zojila battle of 1948 — when Indians surprised Pakistan with tanks at 11,553 ft, The Print, 1 November 2019.
How high is Zoji La?
It provides a vital link between Ladakh and Kashmir Valley. It runs at an elevation of approximately 3,528 metres (11,575 ft), and is the second highest pass after Fotu La on the Srinagar-Leh National Highway.
What does Zojila mean?
Etymology. Zoji La means the "mountain pass of blizzards". It is sometimes referred to as "Zojila Pass" which is a misnomer and the suffix "Pass" is redundant because the word "La" itself means a mountain pass in Tibetan, Ladakhi and several languages spoken in the Himalayan region.
When was Zoji La captured?
During the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947-1948, Zoji La was seized by Pakistani raiders in 1948 in their campaign to capture Ladakh. The pass was recaptured by Indian forces on 1 November in an assault codenamed Operation Bison, which achieved success primarily due to the surprise use of tanks, then the highest altitude at which tanks had operated in combat in the world.
Where is the Pass of the Dras?
Located in the Dras, the pass connects the Kashmir Valley to its west with the Dras and Suru valleys to its northeast and the Indus valley further east. The National Highway 1 between Srinagar and Leh in the western section of the Himalayan mountain range traverses the pass.
Why is the road on Zoji La so narrow?
Not that the road is extremely narrow, but also because of the strong winds and unpredictable weather that often affect the region. Driving/Riding on Zoji La will test your skills on any given day and you say your prayers to the rain gods beforehand to spare you on this route.
What was the only source of information for the places to ride?
As a kid who up grew in absence of internet in the early phases, the auto magazines were the only source information for the places to ride.
Where is Zojila Pass?
Zojila Pass is the connectivity road pass between Sonamarg and Kargil, so on the way to Kargil all road travellers have to pass this narrow, uneven path with mud & pebbles. I think three to four km. road was not good after that the road was okay but apart from that the wonderful mountains all around offers panoramic views of the amazing landscapes in that place. On the way to Zojila Pass we have found some tents were there at Baltal as Amarnath Yatra was still going on at that period. It was remarkable that from the top of the hill there was an amazing lower views all along the journey. We came back home with sweet memories of wonderful scenic views.
When does Zozi La Pass open?
Usually Zozi la pass opens on or after the last week of April, provided not much ice deposit is there after the winter.
What is the first high mountain pass in Srinagar?
Zojila is the first high mountain pass which you will pass through on the way from Srinagar to Leh, around 100 Kms before Kargil. The road is maintained by BRO (Border Road Organization). It would be a absolute thrilling experience, especially to people used to drive in the plains, to pass through the narrow roads cut through the fragile rocky mountain slopes. The pictures tell the tale. The Zozila experience was more exciting than any other high mountain passes we encountered in J&K -Ladakh - namely Khardung La, Chang La, Fotu La, Namki La etc. At zero point we spent some time on the snow, had steaming maggie and sipped hot tea. Little running around at that altitude for the first time may make you feel exhausted..
Why didn't we go to Thajwas Glacier?
We didn't do the Thajwas Glacier because we reached late and didn't want to do a pony ride again. Everyone will tell you there are 5-6 major things to see; Fish pond, Last Village of Kashmir, Kargil point, Zojila Pass and Zero point. Actually only the Zero Point is worth seeing. Snow on both sides surrounded by mountains. It's extremely beautiful with white streams, bare mountains and rough terrain.
When will Zojila Pass Open?
The opening of Zojila Pass entirely depends on the weather and how fast BRO is able to clear the snow. But historically, it is the month of April when the pass is freed of snow and declared open for civilian traffic.
What month is Zojila Pass closed?
Below is a month by month breakdown listing months when the pass is open or closed. Zojila Pass in January = CLOSED; cannot be reached by road. Zojila Pass in February = CLOSED; cannot be reached by road. Zojila Pass in March = CLOSED; cannot be reached by road.
What is the name of the mountain pass of blizzards?
Zoji La . The name Zoji La literally means the “mountain pass of blizzards” and quite rightly so. It is the most difficult stretch on the entire Srinagar Leh highway and it is because of Zoji La that the Leh route remains closed during the winter season.
Is Zojila Pass open in July?
Zojila Pass in July = Open but bad time to visit because of monsoon. Extremely bad road conditions at the top of the pass.
Is the Mughal Road open?
The historic Mughal road, linking Shopian in south Kashmir with Rajouri and Poonch in the Jammu region is now open. If you do not want to travel the Srinagar Jammu highway and would rather take a much more scenic but less crowded route, you can travel via Mughal Road.
Is the road between Srinagar and Sonamarg open?
The road between Srinagar to Sonamarg is currently open and the hotels in the valley are also open for tourists. You are free to travel to Sonamarg as of now and explore the region. For more details, take a look at Best time to visit Sonamarg.
Key Takeaways
1- The 14.15 km long tunnel will connect Srinagar Valley and Leh on NH-1 with approach road to Z-morh tunnel and avalanche protection structures.
Significance of the project
1- It will provide all-weather connectivity between Srinagar, Dras, Kargil and Leh regions as these regions remain cut from the rest of the country for six months due to heavy snowfall in winters.
Safety Features
1- Emergency lay-bys will be located at intervals of 750 m on both sides of the carriageway.
Background of Zojila Project
The project was first introduced in the year 2005 but was dropped. In 2013, BRO prepared a Detailed Project Report (DPR) on BOT mode.
Overview
Zoji La tunnel
The project was approved by the Government of India in January 2018 and the commencement of its construction was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in May 2018. The 14 km long tunnel will reduce the time to cross the Zoji La from over 3 hours to just 15 minutes. The initial cost of the tunnel is US$930 million. When completed, it will be the longest bidirectional tunnel in Asia.
Etymology
According to some sources, Zoji La means the "mountain pass of blizzards". However the word for blizzards is བུ་ཡུག་ (wylie bu-yug) Zoji is actually Du-Zhi-la, the goddess of Tibetan’s four seasons; the Du-Zhi-lha-mo དུས་བཞི་ལྷ་མོ Legend terms her the wife of Naropa. With time people changed it to Zojila. This is solely based on oral transmission that survived among the local people. It is sometimes referred to as "Zojila Pass" which is a misnomer and the suffix "Pass" is redundant because the w…
Location
Zoji La is about 100 km from Srinagar, the capital of the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, and 15 km from Sonmarg. It provides a vital link between Ladakh and Kashmir Valley. It runs at an elevation of approximately 3,528 metres (11,575 ft), and is the second highest pass after Fotu La on the Srinagar-Leh National Highway. It is often closed during winter, though the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) is working to extend traffic to longer periods in winter. The Beacon Force uni…
First Kashmir War
During the First Kashmir War, Zoji La was seized by Gilgit rebels in 1948 in their campaign to capture Ladakh. The pass was recaptured by Indian forces on 1 November in an assault codenamed Operation Bison, which achieved success primarily due to the surprise use of tanks, then the highest altitude at which tanks had operated in combat in the world.
Gallery
• Snow cutting machine on the Zoji La
• Srinagar-Zojila-Leh Road
• Street up to Zoji La (coming from Srinagar)
• Vehicles proceeding towards the valley through the Zoji La
See also
• Machoi Glacier
External links
• Zojila battle of 1948 — when Indians surprised Pakistan with tanks at 11,553 ft, The Print, 1 November 2019.